Juan Gelman Poems: The Voice of a Master Poet

Juan Gelman was an Argentine poet, journalist, and writer, born on May 3, 1930, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Throughout his illustrious career, Gelman published over 20 books of poetry and won numerous prestigious awards for his work, including the Cervantes Prize in 2007. His poems often explore themes of love, loss, exile, and social injustice, reflecting his own experiences as a political activist during Argentina's tumultuous history. Gelman's powerful and poignant verses continue to resonate with readers around the world, making him one of the most influential Latin American poets of the 20th century.

Selected Juan Gelman Poems

Declaración

I admit that my voice grew too big for my life.
I admit that sometimes I use it with spite, when life
assembles no harmony around me and I see myself
nailed to the cross of a loveless destiny.
I admit also that I have unjustly accused
my heart of cowardice in the face of ruins,
that I have taken it for a walk among dead
things when it trembled with fear of living.

Fábula del hijo cambiado en piedra

Once upon a time, a mother who had lost her child
went to a witch to ask for help.

The witch told her:
You must go to the cemetery at midnight
and bring me seven grains of sand from a soldier's grave.

And so she did. She took those grains of sand
to the witch, who told her:
Go back now, and scatter the grains
on the ground where you last saw your child.

And so she did.

The next morning, the mother's lost child
was standing there in flesh and blood.
But he was now a statue made of stone.

Legacy

Juan Gelman's poems are a testament to the power of language to convey the depths of human emotion and experience. His words are imbued with a sense of longing, pain, and resilience that speaks to the universal truths of the human condition. Gelman's poetry transcends borders and languages, touching the hearts of readers across cultures and generations. His legacy as a poet lives on in the hearts and minds of those who have been moved by his words, and his impact on Latin American literature continues to be felt to this day.

To conclude,

Juan Gelman's poems are a powerful reminder of the enduring power of the written word to capture the complexities of human existence. Through his evocative imagery, heartfelt emotion, and fearless exploration of difficult themes, Gelman has left an indelible mark on the world of poetry. His work is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and a shining example of the transformative power of art to heal and inspire. Whether exploring love, loss, exile, or social injustice, Gelman's poems continue to resonate with readers around the world, reminding us of the beauty and strength that can be found in the written word.